Gota clarifies confusion over NIC Nos.

With reference to the Daily Mirror news story on Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s invalidated National Identity Card number appearing in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 electoral registers, Mr Rajapaksa said though he filled the form with the new ID number and the Department of Registration of Persons had informed the Elections Department of the new NIC number what appeared in the electoral list was his previous ID number.  

“I filled the form giving the new ID number and mentioned the old ID number within brackets for reference purposes since the new ID number they issue bears a different form of numbering whereas the normal identity card number is derived from the birthday of the person,” he said. “Also once the new identity card number is given to a person the Department of Registration of Persons informs all relevant government departments about it. As such they have informed of this change to the Elections Department as well. But for some reason what appears in the electoral registers is the old ID number.” 

I filled the form giving the new ID No. and mentioned the previous  number within brackets for purposes of reference because the new ID No. bears a different form of numbering whereas the normal  identity card number is derived from the birthday of the person